Wind Integration and Interconnection Workshop

April 14-15, 2005 - Hilton Minneapolis - Minneapolis, MN
Co-sponsored by UWIG, AWEA, and NREL

Download the Workshop Announcement (Adobe Acrobat file)

Workshop Agenda (Adobe Acrobat file)

Online Registration - We are no longer taking online registrations. Please register on site in Minneapolis.

UWIG, AWEA, and NREL have joined forces to present this joint technical workshop on wind integration and interconnection issues. This event will take place April 14-15, 2005 in Minneapolis, MN. It will immediately follow the UWIG annual meeting scheduled for April 11-13. The technical program for the UWIG Annual Meeting is open to all to attend.

As a special attraction, event organizers have arranged an April 13 field trip to a wind farm located near Minneapolis. Those attending any of the week's meetings are invited to participate.

Workshop Description

This Wind Integration and Interconnection Workshop will be a premier event for those interested in the technical issues associated with the integration, interconnection, and operation of wind plants in today's increasingly complex power system environment. It will be a unique opportunity to engage with others sharing similar interests and concerns related to integrating wind power.

With the intense interest in the development of wind generating capacity throughout the U.S. and Canada, a substantial body of work has been conducted to examine the integration of new wind capacity into traditional power system operation. This work has focused on the cost of ancillary services associated with the operation of wind plants within a control area, as well as the value of the wind plant from a capacity point of view. Also receiving increased attention are the process for making the physical interconnection of the wind plants to the power system, the associated modeling and planning studies, and the development and implementation of a grid code to reflect engineering best practices.

This workshop will examine the results of a number of recent studies, and explore in detail the assumptions and methodologies behind the results. In addition to work that has been completed, results from three ongoing projects will be presented. Covered studies include the California RPS-inspired work, the NYSERDA high penetration study for New York State, and the high wind penetration scenario for the Xcel-North system supported by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Xcel Energy.

Also examined will be grid code development efforts, capacity value and energy storage activities, and wind-hydro integration. A highlight of this workshop will be a panel session addressing European experience with wind power integration and operation under high penetration conditions.

Workshop Topics

• Grid Code Development
• Wind Plant Modeling and Interconnection Studies
• Operating Impact Analysis Activities
• Capacity Value and Energy Storage Activities
• Wind Plant Interconnection Issues
• International Experience: High Wind Plant Penetration
• Wind-Hydro Integration

Wind Site Visit

Events for the week will include a visit to the G. McNeilus Wind Energy facility in Dodge Center, MN. Bus transportation to and from the site will be provided. In addition, WindLogics and EnerNex Corporation will be hosting a hospitality event at WindLogics' office in St. Paul.  Bus transportation will be provided as well.

Who Should Attend

• Utilities, transmission system owners and operators, wind turbine vendors, project developers, and other stakeholders in regions already active in wind and/or considering adding wind generation to their systems.
• UWIG members and utility managers, project engineers, developers and others wanting to learn more about wind power projects.
• RTO/ISO and system operations personnel, and transmission system planners.
• Regulatory personnel and elected officials interested in wind power project development.

Accommodations

Attendees must make their own room reservations. A block of rooms will be held at the following hotel:

When making reservations, refer to the Utility Wind Interest Group to receive the group rate of $141/night plus applicable taxes. You will not be guaranteed the group rate or availability after the cut off date of March 22, 2005.

Workshop Registration

Registrations will only be accepted on site in Minneapolis at this point.

Technical and Logistics Information

Cancellations and Refunds

All requests for refunds must be submitted to UWIG in writing. Refunds may not be processed until after the workshop.

• Requests received by April 8, 2005 - receive a full refund less $50 administrative fee
• Requests received by April 11, 2005 - receive a full refund less $100 administrative fee
• No refunds will be made for cancellations received after April 11 or for no-shows

Credit for Attendance

1.2 Continuing Education Units will be awarded to attendees. More details will be available on site.